FC Cincinnati head to the Sunshine State seeking a season sweep against Inter Miami CF. Kickoff is set for Saturday, July 30 at 8 p.m. ET from DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
FC CINCINNATI at INTER MIAMI CF – SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2022 – 8 p.m. ET – DRV PNK STADIUM
HOW TO WATCH
Local TV: Star64
Local Stream: fccincinnati.com
Out of Market Stream: ESPN+
Radio: ESPN 1530
Talent: Tom Gelehrter (play-by-play), Kevin McCloskey (analyst), Alex Stec (sideline)
Be sure to follow @FCCincinnati on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates from the game.
HEAD TO THE OFFICIAL WATCH PARTY
Fans are encouraged to attend the Official Watch Party at Bucketheads presented by Molson Coors (6507 Harrison Ave) starting at 7 p.m.
The Official Watch Party will feature:
• Appearance by Gary the Lion
• The FC Cincinnati Street Team with giveaways and activities
• Drinks and Special Food Deals
Fans can also catch the action at one of 14 official Pub Partners located across the region, presented by Coors Light.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Inter Miami CF lead the all-time MLS series over FC Cincinnati, 4-1-0 (2-0-0 at home)
SCOUTING INTER MIAMI CF (7-10-4, 25 PTS., 11TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
FC Cincinnati will face, according to Head Coach Pat Noonan, a “totally different team than the last time we saw them.” The last time Noonan’s squad met Inter Miami CF was on March 19 at TQL Stadium, a resounding 3-1 win for the Orange and Blue which saw Brandon Vazquez score twice for the second consecutive game.
For starters, the differences between Miami’s home and road results has been staggering. On the road, the Herons have scored just four times in 10 games, which includes a penalty kick scored by Gonzalo Higuaín at TQL Stadium in March. At home, Miami have scored 18 times, meaning that 82 percent of their goals have been scored at DRV PNK Stadium this season, by far the highest home scoring percentage in the league.
Miami’s six home wins have fueled their playoff hopes, with the Herons sitting just three points behind the Orange and Blue and the playoff line.
Head Coach Phil Neville and his club also look different following the addition of 2020 MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo from Toronto FC in early July. Saturday would be just his third game with the club, a crafty attacking midfielder who Neville dubbed a “game-changer” for his team.
The Herons are amid a busy stretch, with Saturday marking their third of five games in a 19-day span. Miami return home for the first time since a 6-0 drubbing in a friendly against Barcelona on July 19 at DRV PNK Stadium, which preceded last Saturday’s 2-0 loss at New York City FC. After facing FCC, Miami head west for a Wednesday night matchup at San Jose Earthquakes and then go north of the border for next Saturday’s matchup at CF Montréal.
Neville on Thursday considered the prospect of Miami’s leading goal scorer Leonardo Campana playing on Saturday a “major, major doubt.” The Ecuadorian international leads the Herons with eight goals but missed last weekend’s matchup at NYCFC due to an MCL injury.
Gonzalo Higuaín is next up in goals for Miami with four. He has also scored four of his 17 career goals in MLS against FC Cincinnati, his most against any side. Their defense is led by Chris McVey, who has not missed a minute of action this season, and United States international DeAndre Yedlin.
STORYLINES OF THE GAME
LUCHO IS BACK! – FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta is available for selection following serving a three-game suspension for his red card on July 9 against the New York Red Bulls. All six of the All-Star’s assists have been from open play this season, tied for the most in MLS. Per StatsPerform, his 46 chances created from open play rank second in MLS (Carles Gil, NE – 49).
LOOKING FOR SUNSHINE – All-time in the state of Florida, FC Cincinnati are 5-5-0 in MLS regular season play. That includes winning a pair of games in the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament and winning both ‘road’ games against Canadian clubs in Florida early in the 2021 season.
The Orange and Blue seek a first road win against Inter Miami CF, entering Saturday 0-2-0 against the Herons on their home turf.
AN EXCITING (AND TENSE) BRAND OF SOCCER – Of FC Cincinnati’s 22 MLS games this season, 17 have either ended in a tie or have been decided by one goal. Only New England have played more such games this season (18) and the Orange and Blue’s 17 games are tied with Philadelphia Union, Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes for second-most in the category.
The Orange and Blue are 5-5 in games decided by one goal this season.
THE MINUTE MAN – Cincinnati native Nick Hagglund on Saturday could become the first player in club history to surpass 6,000 career minutes for FC Cincinnati in MLS regular season play. He enters Saturday with 5,987 minutes played with FCC.
No other player has reached 5,000 minutes and only four other players have reached 4,000+ minutes for FCC: Yuya Kubo (4,635), Allan Cruz (4,526), Luciano Acosta (4,234), Mathieu Deplagne (4,053).
JUST KEEP SCORING – FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez looks to continue his strong 2022 campaign at DRV PNK Stadium, a venue where he scored in last October for the Orange and Blue. His 11 non-penalty kick goals are only behind FC Dallas striker Jesús Ferreira for most in the league. Additionally, his six headed goals are two more than any other player in MLS.
NOONAN’S TAKE
Head Coach Pat Noonan on if Saturday feels like a playoff game
“They all do. Every game we play feels like it's three very important points. I think we could have said that for a lot of our recent opponents, in terms of where we were in the table, where they were in the table and a good stretch of home games. So we have a team that's right behind us in the standings. It'll be an important game for us in terms of what the end of the season looks like, if we can go and have a strong performance and get three points.”
Fans can place deposits now for 2023 Season Tickets, and current season ticket holders can renew for 2023 now. Anyone with interest in 2023 Season Tickets can place their deposit HERE, or by calling 513-977-KICK, that’s 513-977-5425.
FC Cincinnati's 2022 schedule can be viewed, HERE. Fans can build their custom 3 Match Flex Plan today. Pick any three matches and save on single match ticket pricing with no fees at checkout. Fans can pick the same seats for three games or select different options around TQL Stadium.
Single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati’s remaining home games are also available now, head to fccincinnati.com/tickets or call 513-977-KICK, to learn more.
FC Cincinnati are playing their fourth season of MLS competition in 2022, and their second playing at TQL Stadium. For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
